Weinstein highlights lower construction costs -- the WindPlus turbine cost €20 million ($24.9 million) to build and install -- as a major advantage the technology has over existing offshore wind farms.

The fact that turbines and their platforms can be assembled on land (unlike bottom-fixed devices which are assembled at sea on specialized vessels and cost as much as $250,000 a day to charter) means "the cost and risk profile ... is significantly reduced," she says.

But while bullish about the technology's potential, Weinstein admits there remains a way to go before floating turbines become profitable enterprises.

The initial structure off the coast of Portugal is merely a pilot installation to prove the device works and is viable, says Weinstein.

"At the moment we are making money but not enough to cover our costs," she says.

"There is no doubt in my mind however that this is going to be a profitable technology and profitable venture in the future. It just takes time."